OPT

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• OPT
• Optional Practical Training

ONLINE WORKSHOP
Kathy Sparaco, Manager, Office of International
Services
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What is this workshop?

• This online workshop will provide you with basic
  understanding of OPT.
• Please read each slide carefully.
• Before you begin download the following two
  forms
• I-765
• Optional Practical Training Request Form

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Lets answer some initial questions.

• What is OPT?
• Is it the same as Curricular Practical Training
  (CPT)?
• When am I eligible for OPT?
• Can I work anywhere in the U.S.?

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What is OPT?

• OPT is temporary employment for practical
  training directly related to your major area of
  study.
• Some key features are
• OPT is a practical application of degree.
• Employment is related to program of study.
• No reporting requirement.
• OPT is 12 months in duration.
• While on OPT, you are in F-1 status.

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What are the main differences between OPT CPT?
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When can I use OPT?

• OPT can be used
• After the completion of the degree objective.
• During the school year on a part-time basis.
• During the summer (part-time or full-time).

This presentation will focus on OPT which is used
after the completion of a degree objective. If
you are a student who wants to use OPT during the
summer or academic year, please contact OIS.
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When am I eligible for OPT?

• The following conditions must be met
• You have been maintaining status as an F-1
  student.
• You have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time
  basis for one full academic year (2 semesters of
  credit bearing course work).

English language training program students are
NOT eligible for OPT
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Where can I work on OPT?

• Any employer in the U.S. as long as the
  employment is related to your field of study.
• Employment is not reported to DHS or MIIS during
  OPT. It is the students responsibility to
  follow OPT guidelines of finding employment
  related to his/her study.

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How long will this application process take?
The application process begins when you request
an I-20 form from OIS and is complete when you
receive the EAD card. You are able to apply for
OPT up to 120 days prior to the end of your
program.

• Receive new I-20 from OIS 1 week
• Submit all required documents to USCIS by mail
  1-2 weeks
• USCIS processing time 11 weeks

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What is the OIS recommendation?
OIS is responsible for recommending OPT to the
USCIS. The recommendation is indicated on the
last page of your I-20. In order to get the new
I-20, you will need to complete and submit the
Optional Practical Training Request form. The OPT
Request form requires a signature from your
academic advisor verifying the end of your
program. You will also be required to indicate
the start date of your OPT.
Spring Graduates
Earliest date to submit application for OPT is
January 8th!
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How do I choose a start date for OPT?
Selecting the start date for OPT can be the most
confusing part of the application process. OPT
is a 12-month work authorization that has to be
completed within 14 months of your program end
date. You must indicate an OPT start date within
60 days of your program end date.
OPT start date should be within 60 days from
program completion date
60-day grace period
12 months of OPT
Degree Completion
Employment must end 12 months from start date, or
within 14 months of degree completion
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Choosing an OPT start date.

• For Example
• Elena will finish her MBA at the end of the
  Spring Semester. Her program completion date is
  May 8, 2008

Elena could choose her OPT start date between
05/09/2008 and 07/07/2008
07/01/2008 OPT
05/08/2008 Program end date
07/07/2008 Last day for OPT start date

• Elena chose the OPT start date of July 1, 2008

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What other materials do I need?

• OPT application form I-765
• 2 photos (taken within the past 30 days, white
  background,
• 2 x 2) with SEVIS ID and full name on back of
  photos
• Check or money order for 340 payable to DHS
• Photocopy of new signed I-20 with OPT
  recommendation
• Photocopy of passport biographical information,
  (showing passport expiration date photo).
• Photocopy of I-94 front and back (dark enough
  to show the red stamp on the front of it)

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How do I complete the I-765?
a
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I-765 Form (continued)
HIROZANE ELENA Note
this address is where the card will be
mailed. JAPAN Tokyo
Japan 02/05/1980
a

a
123-54-9876 57365656412 (11 digit on I-94)
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I-765 Mailing Address

• On line 3 of I-765 write your current mailing
  address ONLY IF YOU WILL BE LIVING THERE FOR THE
  NEXT 4-5 MONTHS
• Note If you have moved when your EAD card
  is received, your mail will NOT be forwarded it
  will be returned to the California Service
  Center.
• If you plan to move within 6 months, you may use
  the mailing address of a person you know well

c/o KENJI HIROZANE 223 South Road Burlingame
CA 94010
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Form I-765 (continued)
a
03/02/2006 Los Angeles, California Student
(F-1) Student (F-1)
c 3 i
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Form I-765 (continued)
Elena Hirozane (signature within lines)
[phone] April 18, 2007
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What are the photo requirements?

• You must have two (2) photos
• All photos must be of only the applicant and must
  be identical.
• All photos must meet the specifications for full
  frontal/passport photos and must be no more than
  30 days old when an application is filed.
• Do NOT cut the pictures!
• Print your name and SEVIS number (10-digit number
  beginning with N) in pencil on the back of each
  photo.
• OPT PHOTO SAMPLE

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Check or Money Order

• Make check or money order for 340 payable to
  Department of Homeland Security

Department of Homeland Security
340.00
Three-hundred forty and no/100 -------------------
---
S A M P L E
Elena Hirozane
OPT
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What are my mailing options?

• Mail all documents to the California Service
  Center via certified mail, return receipt
  requested.

Mail to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
California Service Center P.O. Box 10765 Laguna
Niguel, CA 92607-1076
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Tracking your application

• Notice of Action Form I-797 in about 2 weeks.
• WAC number, which you can use to check the
  status of your application online at
  https//egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp

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Traveling on OPT

• After you have completed your studies, you will
  need the following documents to travel back into
  the U.S. while on OPT
• A SEVIS I-20 , signed for travel by the
  International Student Advisor within the last six
  months
• An Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
• A valid F-1 visa (unless eligible for automatic
  revalidation of an expired visa)
• An employment verification (an offer/employment
  verification letter from your prospective/current
  employer).

Note Students who do not meet these
requirements may not be allowed to re-enter the
U.S.
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Frequently Asked Questions

• Q What is my immigration status while I am on
  OPT?

A OPT is a part of your program, so you are
still in F-1 status during OPT. You are
considered an international student at MIIS while
on OPT. The visa that you use to enter the
country will remain an F-1 visa.
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FAQs Continued

• Q Can I travel while I wait to get the EAD card?

A If you have applied for OPT, finished your
program and are waiting for your EAD card, it is
advisable to wait for the card. However, if you
need to travel out of the U.S., you should plan
to bring the receipt of your OPT application
along with a letter of support from OIS. In
addition, any evidence of your job search would
be good to have on hand.
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FAQs Continued

• Q Can I have more than 12 months of OPT?

A No, the maximum amount of time allowed on OPT
is 12 months.
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FAQs Continued

• Q Can I cancel my OPT or change my OPT dates?

A Yes, you can cancel your OPT or change dates
before it has been approved. It is not advisable
to make any changes to the application once it
has been submitted, so it is important to choose
your dates carefully.
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FAQs Continued

• Q Can I change employers on OPT?

A Yes, there is no reporting requirement, so you
can work for any employer in a job related to
your field of study.
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FAQs Continued

• Q What happens if I cannot complete my degree
  requirements by the anticipated program
  completion date?

A When you apply for OPT, OIS will issue you a
new I-20 with a new program end date. If you
will not finish your program by the anticipated
program end date, you should request a new I-20
with an extension of the end date BEFORE the end
date. In addition, you may want to cancel or
change the dates to your OPT if you havent
received the EAD card. Check with OIS as soon as
possible.
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FAQs Continued

• Q What is the H-1b gap and why should I worry
  about it now.

A Many F-1 student will change from an F-1
student to H-1b during their OPT. H-1b is a
temporary work status in the U.S. Your U.S.
employer will apply for you to have H-1b status.
There is a limited number of H-1b numbers and the
eligibility period begins on October 1st. If
your OPT and 60-day grace period expire before
October 1st, you will have a gap in your legal
status in the U.S. This gap will prevent you
from being approved for an H-1b. You will want
to be aware of this gap when talking with
potential employers. Institutes of higher
education and certain nonprofits are not subject
to the gap.
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OPT and H-1b

• Be aware of gap
• OPT expires on July 15, 2008
• Gap from Sept 15 October 1
• Obtain visa abroad
• Re-enroll in school
• Obtain I-20 by April 1

For more information, schedule an appointment
with the OIS manager.
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Questions?

• Contact visas_at_miis.edu.
• Check international student conference weekly for
  updates and announcements.